cosmoleague.com

matchreport - 10-Oct-09 - hibs v. german as

Team Hibs

Author Tom Champion

line up

Leonard
Arnott
Elder
Tunbridge
Walker
Booth
Corner
Harvey
Cheung Kai Dick
Wolff
Clark

Cheung Kaydash
Kemp
Champion
Campbell
Roberts

Back to winning ways!

Following a few weeks of tough games where we learnt some tough lessons we approached this game with optimism that we could get a result on home soil and that is exactly what we did. With a full squad and return from injury / illness of 4 players the Hibs were in a confident mood. The game itself was by no means a collectors item (a bit like Ukraine v England) but a win was the important outcome made all the more sweeter that it was delivered by a German against the Germans!

On another hot afternoon on the PSA, the game ebbed and flowed with neither team taking control and some slack play by both teams. Early aggravated injury to Kai Dick saw Kempy back from injury to replace him on the left after 10 mins. The first half saw chances a both ends with a disallowed goal for the Germans followed by not 1 but 2 penalties for the Hibs. Both came from Bastian bursting into the box on the right after beating the full back. The first was a handball from the shot, with confusion as to who was actually going to take it eventually James Harvey stepped forward only for the German keeper to save it. 15 mins later just before halftime Bastian was brought down before he could shoot and against German protocol he got up dusted himself down and dispatched as only a German can a penalty. Half time 1-0 to the Hibs.

Second half saw the Hibs defend the lead and try and capitalize on some counter attacks. Kaydash (Kai Dicks’ brother) came on to make his debut for the Hibs and had a great game on the left of midfield, battling and working hard and showing his skill in the final third. The Hibs created a couple of one on one chances to put the game to bed but unfortunately couldn't convert them. The defence however were holding firm and John was having an excellent game against his old team. With 20 minutes to go and all the subs on Gary picked up a dead leg which meant him moving (of sorts) upfront for the remainder of the game. With the equivalent of 10 men the pressure was on the Hibs and this continued despite the German centre half seeing red for a clear pull on Kaydash as he was about to race free on goal. Despite the pressure from the Germans the Hibs held firm and took the game 1-0.nn

Man of the match to our very own German Bastian for a match winning performance.

Not a vintage performance but a full squad and hopefully we can build some form and take this result forward into the upcoming games. nn

Thanks to the Germans for a tough as ever game, and the Refs had a good day at the office too.